Wisden overview
During the winter of 2000-01, Graham Thorpe established himself as the most complete England batsman since the Gooch-Gower era, able to attack like Alec Stewart - against pace or spin - and to defend like Mike Atherton. He had begun as a brilliant counter-attacking left-hander who came off the ropes from the start of his innings to punch a quick 20 and seize the initiative, an invaluable trait. But being the first England player to undergo ten consecutive years of touring, for the A and Test team, troubled his back, dulled his edge and gave him a reputation for grumpiness. In 1999-2000, he opted out of the tour to South Africa, a decision which seemed to be the final step before fulfilment. The winter's rest, and time for reflection with his family, brought him to a mature peak - as a batsman who enjoyed his cricket again, the best allround fielder in the team, a contributor in the dressing-room and occasional captain. But in 2002 his career reached crisis point as his marriage crumbled in full view of the tabloids. With England's busiest-ever winter looming, he announced his retirement from the one-day game, took an indefinite break from all forms of cricket, returned and announced his readiness to tour Australia - and then pulled out again, a move which seemed to signal the end of his Test career too. All in all, Thorpe is a very high-profile victim of cricket's nonstop merry-go-round. Scyld Berry

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